Paris Smith LLP raise more than £17,000 for Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.
In a year filled with abseils, tombolas, summits of Snowdon and night-time fun runs, the leading regional firm have excelled in their fundraising efforts, after a companywide vote elected our life-saving service as their charity of the year for 2024/2025.
Employees across the organisation were inspired to raise vital funds and awareness to ensure our highly skilled Critical Care Team could continue providing life-saving pre-hospital care across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Reaching new heights
The firm have hosted tombolas, bake sales, quizzes, sweepstakes and raffles – just to name a few. In July last year, Managing Partner, Huw Miles, triumphed in a 170 metre abseil of the Spinnaker Tower and a team of five reached the summit of Snowdon.
For one of the biggest (and brightest) events in our calendar, Paris Smith showed their support as headline sponsor of Dash in the Dark Southampton. The annual night-time mission attracted more than 700 local runners in September (2024) and raised more than £30,000 for our life-saving service. We were thrilled to welcome a team of six from the firm – eager to light up the night and raise vital funds (pictured below).
New life-savers on board
In March, 30 members of the firm took part in our life-saving initiative CPR Skills for Life– hosted by Supporter Engagement Officer, Natalie Russell, and a team of charity volunteers.
With the aim to boost the confidence of those in our community to begin basic life support if they see someone collapse, the team learnt how to assess a patient, call for help, perform effective chest compressions and use a defibrillator.
Natalie added:
“We have enjoyed every moment of our partnership with Paris Smith and are incredibly grateful for their support. Their activities throughout the year have saved lives and will keep families in our region together for years to come. We couldn’t do it without them.”
A life-saving difference
Our Critical Care Team respond to an average of seven emergencies each day – with each mission costing £3,500. We wouldn’t exist without the incredible support from individuals, community groups and organisations alike. Thanks to their dedication, creativity and passion to raise awareness, Paris Smith reached more than £17,000 raised across their year-long partnership – enough to fund five emergency missions.
These critically ill and injured patients were given the highest quality pre-hospital care and the chance to return home to their families – all because our crew were able to reach them.
One of those patients we were able to reach was David, who was left in a life-threatening condition after being trampled by a herd of cows near his home on the Isle of Wight in June 2024. You can read his remarkable story here.
A memorable partnership
To mark the end of the partnership, Senior Partner, Peter Taylor (far left), Managing Partner, Huw Miles (second right) and Partner Tabytha Cunningham (far right) presented Judith Stephens, Supporter Engagement Officer at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, with a cheque for £17,738.60 on Thursday (8 May).
Senior Partner, Peter Taylor, Managing Partner, Huw Miles, and Partner, Tabytha Cunningham present Judith Stephens with their fundraising cheque.
Charlotte Farrell and Tabytha Cunningham, Co-Chairs of Paris Smith Charity Committee, said:
“It has been our absolute pleasure to work with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance this year to raise funds to save lives in our local area. We were thrilled to be able to raise just over £17,000 for the charity over the last 12 months and everyone in the firm has had a lot of fun taking part in the events through the year.
We were particularly delighted, with the help of Natalie Russell from the charity, to be able to train so many of our team in delivering lifesaving CPR.”
“The team at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance have been wonderful to work alongside, showing so much enthusiasm and passion in everything we’ve done with them.”
Thank you to everyone at Paris Smith for choosing Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance as their Charity of the Year and helping to raise vital funds and awareness of the critical care our team can deliver to those most in need across our region, 365 days a year.
Are you interested in partnering with a local life-saving organisation? Get in touch today and find out how your organisation can help save lives in your region.